Braeside Park tuning up for Happy 150 Celebrations

An afternoon of good old fashioned fun is being planned for Braeside Park’s celebrations to mark the Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria’s 150th celebrations on Saturday 12 October.

Music, history, dance and afternoon tea with scones are all in the mix for what should make for a celebration to remember by all, according to Mary Tasker, Residents’ Committee Coordinator.

“We have put together a family friendly afternoon with something for everyone,” she said.

“For us residents, the celebration is about showing the world that older people enjoy having fun and a good party.”

The afternoon of festivities begins at 1pm with a traditional smoking ceremony, formalities and the burial of a time capsule.

“We are filling the time capsule with items which may not even be around in fifty years’ time,” Mary said.

They include a Myki card, the list of the first homes to be attached to the town’s gas supply, photographs and a list of current residents, a $2 coin, a resident’s letter to future residents, and a few other mystery objects.

The celebrations include the Astor Swing Band, a six-piece jazz combo, which promises to have toes tapping within minutes of starting up, house tours, a history exhibition and talks by the Berwick Historical Society.

“History is important to us. OCAV was founded 150 years ago by George Coppin, one of Victoria’s first colonists. He, together with other wealthy founding families, set up the Association to provide houses and care for other less well-off colonists, and they have been doing it ever since,” Mary said.

“It is a remarkable story, and the Association is needed now more than ever because of the dire need for safe, affordable housing for older people in Victoria,” she added.

Three houses – two independent living and one assisted living – will be open as part of the house tours during the afternoon. Booking for house tours will open on September 21, and will be strictly limited to ten people per tour.

There will be a plant stall made up of plants propagated by the residents, as well as a jam, marmalade and cake stall, all baked by residents. Afternoon tea – with scones and all the trimmings – will be available for a gold coin donation.

The Braeside Park celebration is free but bookings are essential for the house tours.

The celebration is on:

Saturday 12 October

1pm – 3.30pm

Braeside Park, 19 Clyde Road, Berwick

Booking for house tours: https://www.trybooking.com/BERO

More information: Braeside Park events